Excessive Heat Watch Posted for the Area

The National Weather Service is warning area residents about oppressive heat in the coming days.

An Excessive Heat Watch has been issued for northeast Missouri and western Illinois through Saturday evening.

The weather service predicts daily heat index values from 105 to 113 degrees from Tuesday afternoon through Saturday evening.

Forecasters say the combination of hot temperatures and high humidity will lead to an increased risk of heat-related stress and illness. The most vulnerable groups include the young, the elderly, those without air conditioning and those participating in strenuous outdoor activities.

Officially, the excessive heat watch starts Tuesday afternoon for the Missouri counties of Audrain, Lincoln, Marion, Monroe, Pike, Ralls and Shelby and Wednesday afternoon for Knox and Lewis counties in Missouri and Pike, Adams and Brown counties in Illinois.